Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Online Tournament

Settings

The global settings are to be used for all game modes unless otherwise specified in the game modes specific section.

The hosting team is responsible for setting up a private lobby match with the correct settings and the correct map. If the hosting team starts the game with the wrong settings, it will result in penalties for that map/mode. Please refer to the Penalties section of this rules page.

Restricted Items and Incorrect Settings: For search and destroy, use of any restricted item(s) will result in the loss of the round(s) the item(s) were used in if it affected game play. If the hosting team hosts the lobby with incorrect settings, the hosting team will forfeit each round that the incorrect setting affected gameplay. If a game is hosted out of order, the hosting team will forfeit that game that was played out of order. For example, if Search and Destroy - Hacienda is the second game and played as the first game, the hosting team will forfeit Search and Destroy - Hacienda. The correct first game/map will need to be played.

Changable Game Rules:

(The rules listed in this section are the only rules you need to change in order to set up your GB Variant tournament lobby correctly)

Manage Party Settings:

Immediately upon entering a lobby, please press Triangle or Y and scroll left to "Manage Party". When you're in here, set the "Player Limit" to the max amount of players for your match: (Example: 3v3 should be 6 max).

Search & Destroy Settings:

Win Conditions

Time Limit: 1.5 minutes

Round Limit: Unlimited

Round Win Limit: 6

Advanced

Silent Plant: Enabled

Gameplay:

Reveal For of War: Disabled

Specialist Settings:

Health and Damage:

Friendly Fire: Enabled

Cooldowns:

Specialist Weaponry: Disabled

Lobby Settings:

3rd Person Spectating: Disabled

Battlechatter: Disabled

3rd Person Gestures: Disabled

Gesture Camera Control: Disabled

Item Restrictions:

(None of these items can be used, doing so may result in potential forfeits)

Perks:

Special Issue:

Specialist:

(These are all the game settings that are listed. If you wish to see only the changeable ones, please see the top of this page)

Lobby Settings:

Manage Party Settings:

Team Assignment: Invite Only

Team Change In-Game: Enabled

CODCasting: Enabled

3rd Person Spectating: Disabled

Dynamic Map Elements: Enabled

Revenge Voice: Enabled

Battlechatter: Disabled

Announcer: Enabled

Best Play: Enabled

3rd Person Gestures: Disabled

Gesture Camera Control: Disabled

Party Privacy: Invite Only

Player Limit: Number of players in match (e.g. For a 3v3 match, select 6)

Voice Chat Channels: Party

Spawn Settings:

Number of Lives Per Player: 1 Life

Respawn Delay: Disabled

Force Respawn: Enabled

Wave Spawn Delay: Disabled

Suicide Penalty: Disabled

Team Killed Penalty: Disabled

Select Spawn: Enabled

Number of Lives Per Team: Unlimited

Specialist Settings:

Roster

All Set to Value 1

Position Draft Settings:

Draft Enabled: Enabled

Draft Time: 30 Seconds

Minimum Time Size: None

Health and Damage

Health: 150

Manual Healing Enabled:

Manual Heal Regeneration Speed: Normal

Friendly Fire: Enabled

Teamkill Kick Limit: Disabled

Headshots Only: Disabled

Hit Indicator: Enabled

Competitive Rules: Enabled

Cooldowns

Specialist Weaponry: Disabled

Specialist Weaponry Cooldown: Normal

Specialist Weaponry Ready on Respawn: Disabled

Equipment: Enabled

Equipment Cooldown: Normal

Equipment Ready on Respawn: Disabled

Create a Class

Custom Classes: Enabled

Selections Allowed: 10

Gameplay:

Pre-Match Timer: 5 Seconds

Pre Round Timer: 0 Seconds:

Mini-Map: Normal

Explosive Delay: Disabled

Killcam: Enabled

Scorestreak Delay: 10 Seconds

Multiplier: 1

Reveal Fog of War: Disabled

Map Rotation (Search & Destroy):

Search and Destroy - Arsenal

Search and Destroy - Firing Range

Search and Destroy - Frequency

Search and Destroy - Gridlock

Search and Destroy - Hacienda

Search and Destroy - Slums

Bracket Play

Single Elimination: After losing a match, teams will be eliminated from the bracket.

Default Start Time: All round one (1) matches have the same default start time. After round one (1), all Matches have a unique default start time that is dependent upon the time at which the teams’ previous round results were submitted. Matches must be started by their default start time and played until completion. Postponing matches is only at the discretion of Online Tournament staff.

Double Forfeit: If a match is not played and neither team submits a ticket requesting the forfeit win, or both teams otherwise forfeit a game/match, the game/match win will be awarded to the higher seeded team.

Seeding: Teams will be randomly seeded at of the close of registration. Seeds are done in ascending order. The higher seed is determined by the team with the seed closest to zero (0).

Example: Seed four (4) is a higher seed than seed ten (10).

Game Types in Rounds: Game types will be set for each round of the bracket. These game types must be played and may not be substituted out.

Hosting

Definition: The Host is the Player who must create the Custom Game and ensure that the proper Settings and Map are used. The Host should set their party player limit to match the number of players for the specified match. (Example: Player Limit 8 for a 4 vs 4 match.)

Host and Side Choice for Each Game: The higher seeded team at match time must host the first game. The lower seeded team will host the second game. This will alternate until a tie break game is required. The team with the higher combined Search and Destroy rounds won for all games leading up to the tie breaker in that match will host the tie breaker game. The team that does not host must choose a side to play on.

Procedure: Hosting players should create the custom game. As the hosting team changes over the course of a match, the new hosting player should leave the custom game and create a new one. A lag test should be performed before the start of each game to ensure all players have an acceptable player to player connection.

Finish Games: If a player's connection to the server becomes unreaasonable during a game, the game must still be played. The lag incident should be reported to tournament support immediately following that game.

Incorrect Ending: If the host incorrectly ends a game, their team may forfeit the game. If a team causes the game to end whilst the opposing team has scorestreaks available, they may be forfeited a round for causing the game to end prematurely.

All Matches

Warm-up: No warm-up or practice games are permitted once the match’s first game has begun. If a match is played before the scheduled time, it will not be considered a warm-up and will count as the official results.

Delays: Teams may not delay the start of a match beyond its scheduled start time, without the approval of a tournament official. Teams may delay a match between games for up to five minutes. Teams can request that a tournament official enforce this five minute time limit. After five minutes of a tournament official enforced delay, if the delaying team does not have the minimum required players, they will forfeit the match.

Minimum Required Players: Teams may only be short handed by one player in order to start a Search and Destroy Game. A Team will Forfeit the Match if they are missing more than one player than the match specifies by 10 minutes after a Match’s default start time (Grace Period). Teams will be forced to start a Game at the end of a Grace Period.

Lag: In the event that lag occurs, the game should be completed. The player(s) that are experiencing lag should take video proof, and provide it to tournament live support after the game has concluded. If lag is occuring, it is recommended that multiple players provide proof of the lag. Leaving the game prematurely may result in a forfeit of the round or game.

Disconnections: If a player disconnects within the first thirty (30) seconds and/or before the first kill, the game should be ended. All players must leave the match to end the game.

If a player disconnects after the first thirty seconds (30) and/or the first kill, the map must be continued and the missing player should be reinvited to the lobby. If the team with the missing player leaves the lobby, their team may forfeit the round/game in question.

Normal Boundaries: Players who move their character outside of the normal boundaries of a map may forfeit the game. Moving outside of the normal boundaries of a map includes but is not limited to part of the character’s body passing through what should be a non-permeable surface or object, and moving into any area from which your character registers shots on an opponent who is not able to register shots on your character.

Outside Players: After the match lobby has been created, only eligible players on the two teams and staff members may be invited/join. If an ineligible player joins a game, the game must be ended if the player affects the game and/or doesn't leave within 30 seconds of joining. If a Player is found to have invited an ineligible player to a game, they will forfeit the game.

Reporting

No Shows: The No Show grace period time is 10 minutes after the match's original start time. For example, if a match is scheduled for 10:00 PM, the no show time for this match would be 10:10 PM. In order to contact a Tournament Official use Live Support. Prior to any forfeits being made, a tournament admin must confirm that a team has failed to show up for the match.

Tournament No Show Procedure: A tournament admin will contact the team that has failed to show up through the console's messaging system. If we are unable to contact you through the system, you will be contacted through the Gamebattles private messaging system or through twitter if you have a twitter account linked to your Gamebattles account.

Time Limit: Both teams must report the match results within 10 minutes of its completion. Failure to report the match results on time or respond to any messages that you receive from a tournament official may result in your team receiving the loss.

Report Match Score: In the event that the in game system does not report your match when it has concluded, please report the match results on your match page .To report the match results, teams must report the match score accurately, with overall Games won being reported. For example, the match score can be reported as 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2 depending upon the match length. Reporting the individual points for each ame is optional.

Cheating: Breaking any rule and any form of cheating, glitching, abusing in-game mechanics, or unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a forfeit of a game, match, or ban from GameBattles. Cheating, glitching, and abusing in-game mechanics accusations must be verified by a tournament official. In order to contact a tournament official use Live Support. If a Tournament Official isn’t immediately available, a Ticket must be submitted immediately, along with proof, screenshot or video, of the cheating. Punishable unsportsmanlike behavior includes, but is not limited to, excessive use of foul or degrading language. For all cheating claims, the burden of proof is on the accuser.

Proof: We highly recommend that proof is taken with the console's built in recording system to gather proof. At least one member of each team should take a video or screenshot(s) of each game’s results in case proof is needed for a dispute. All proof should be clearly visible and contain the game score, all players on both teams, and a time stamp.

Disputes: In order to dispute game results, players/teams must notify a tournament official, via Live Support or Ticket submission, that they would like to protest the game before a new game has begun. In order to dispute match results, players/teams must notify a tournament official, via Live Support or Ticket submission, that they would like to protest the match no longer than 15 minutes after the end of the Match.

Concessions: Teams may request that they be allowed to concede victory of a game. Teams may request that their opponent not receive a forfeit penalty. A tournament official must be contacted with these requests. In order to contact a tournament official use Live Support.

Dispute Evidence: In the event of a dispute, please provide your video / screenshot proof to tournament live support. In the event that you are not able to access tournament live support, a Match: Scores Dispute ticket should be created The URL for the image(s)/video must be attached to a dispute ticket. The issue must be clearly stated as well as the time in the video in which the issue occurred, and/or what the tournament official should be looking for in the picture/video.

Support

Tickets & Live Support: Tournament support can be requested by creating a Support Ticket or Live Support. For issues with registration, missing tournament achievements, and general tournament questions, a “Tournament Question/Issues” Ticket should be created. For all tournament match issues, a “Solve My Dispute” Ticket should be created.

Live Support Limit: Only one (1) Player per team should use Live Support for in-game issues and that player should stay on live support until a tournament official answers their call.

Listen for Instructions: If a tournament official is called into a custom game, players must keep the tournament official un-muted at all times.

Abuse: Verbal and/or written abuse of a tournament official will not be tolerated through any medium. This includes, but is not limited to, voice communications in game, voice messages, live support chats, written messages on GameBattles, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Violators of this rule may be disqualified from the Tournament.

Technical Issues: If you are having technical issues, please contact support@mlg.tv.

Decisions Are Final: Tournament staff have the final decision in all matters related to this competition. If a player feels the decision is unjust and/or goes against the rules listed for this competition, an Arena: Staff Report Ticket should be submitted for review. Please include any information and proof pertinent to the issue.

Penalties

Hosting an incorrect map: If a game is hosted out of order, the hosting team will forfeit that game that was played out of order. For example, if Search and Destroy - Hacienda is the second game and played as the first game, the hosting team will forfeit Search and Destroy - Hacienda. The correct first game/map will need to be played.

Premature Game Ending: Teams that force the game to end prematurely by player(s) switching teams, leaving the game, inviting outsite players, and/or the host ending the game may result in the loss of the round and/or game for search and destroy.

Equipment: Players may not use a Turbo controller, a Button Macro controller or Keyboard/Mouse. Turbo controllers allow Players to press a button that results in their Character performing a set of actions that would normally require the Player to press the same button multiple times. Button Macro controllers allow Players to press a button that results in their Character performing a set of actions that would normally require the Player to press multiple buttons. The team using the ineligible equipment will forfeit that games of the match it was used on.

IP Flooding (DDoS Attacks): Performing or assisting with a DDoS attack of your opponent will result in immediate disqualification of that team. All players on that team will be suspended from GameBattles for up to seven hundred and thirty (730) days.

Evading a Tournament or Servere Site Ban: Any player found evading a severe site ban or one related to Online Tournaments will be disqualified from this competition. If that player participates in any part of the match during the first tournament round, that team will forfeit the games that were played. If that player participates in any part of a match after the first tournament round, that team will be disqualified from the competition. The offending player(s) will be suspended from GameBattles for up to ninety (90) days.

Account Recovering XBL or PSN Accounts: Tournament participants are forbidden to allow others to play in this competition in place of them by sharing XBL or PSN accounts. The offending the team forfeit the entire match. The offending players will be suspended from the site for up to thirty (30) days.

Modified Console/Hacks/Mods: Use of a modified/jail broken console, in game hacks, and/or mods will result in the immediate disqualification of that team. The player(s) using the modified console, hacks, and/or mods will be suspended from GameBattles for up to seven hundred and thirty (730) days. The rest of the team will be suspended for up to ninety (90) days.

Evading a Ban: If a player is found evading a ban the team will be disqualified from this competition. The offending player(s) will be suspended from GameBattles for up to ninety (90) days.

Lack of Cooperation: Failing to comply with Support Staff's directions and/or requests may result in the forfeit of round(s), a map, or the entire match. Verbal or written abuse of a staff member will result in a suspension from GameBattles for up to twenty (20) days.

Failure to Report a Tournament Match: Any team leader/captain that fails to report their tournament match within ten (10) minutes after the conclusion of their match or upon receiving notification from support staff to do so, may be suspended from the site for up to twenty-four (24) hours.

Warnings: Tournament Officials may issue a Warning for infractions including, but not limited to, the use of profane words or phrases, discussion of controversial religious topics, threats/implied violence, lack of punctuality, and failure to follow tournament staff instructions. All warnings and penalties are given to the team, not the individual player. Teams may also be warned or incur a penalty for repeated warnings in regards to the same rule. Depending on the severity of the action or conduct by a player, multiple warnings may be handed out for a single infraction, up to and including bypassing warnings and resulting in an immediate penalty.

Penalties: After a maximum of three (3) warnings, post-warning penalties, including but not limited to the following, may be enforced: A Game Forfeit, a Match Forfeit, and a GB/MLG Site Ban for a specified duration. Penalties may also be combined with other penalties.

Disqualification: Some infractions may result in warnings and penalties being bypassed with immediate disqualification from the remainder of the Tournament being enforced. Examples of behavior or actions that could result in this are physical acts violence, cheating, collusion/manipulating the bracket, drug/substance abuse on-site, any illegal activities, betting or gambling on a tournament or match results, hate speech, and harassment.

General

Rules: The rules may be updated and modified at any time, for any reason. Rulings may be made outside the scope of these Rules in order to preserve fair play and tournament integrity. Participation in this Tournament constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Rules, the Official Rules on the Prize tab, and Tournament Official decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to this tournament. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

Eligibility: Residents of the United States only. Residents of Arizona, Connecticut, and Maryland are restricted. Employees of MLG, the Tournament's participating sponsors and their advertising agencies, and members of the immediate family of any such persons, are not eligible to participate and win. For the complete list of restrictions/limitations, please visit the prize tab. Any team found using a restricted player may be disqualified from the tournament without a refund of credits.

Players: Players must utilize their own unique Username for competing on GameBattles. This unique Username must have been registered on GameBattles personally by the user. The registered Username must contain the correct and complete Name, Address, and Email of the user. If a false Name, Address, or Email was entered, the user voids the privilege to participate in this Tournament and/or receive any prizes. As a user, you are personally responsible for accepting any invitation to a Team. If you receive a paid invite to a team, you accept the credits used for entry as your own in order to participate in this competition. If you do not personally accept a Team invitation, you may be disqualified from the Tournament and Forfeit any prize. All players must have an Xbox Live Gold account in good standing and be signed into Xbox Live for all Games. All MLG/GameBattles accounts, teams, roster spots and crowns are property of Major League Gaming Inc. Any advertising of, or attempts to buy, sell, trade, or exchange any aforementioned item is strictly prohibited. This also includes offering to forfeit matches in exchange for any item or service. Violators will be removed from all MLG/GameBattles online properties and all related accounts terminated. Furthermore, MLG reserves the right to deactivate, reset or temporarily suspend any account or team, without notice, that violates our Terms of Use.

Definition of Non-Amateurs: Players that have won a cash prize from any Online Tournaments or Ladders for the game and console on which the tournament is being held. If a player takes credits in place of a cash prize, they are still no longer considered an amateur and are ineligible to play in amateur tournaments for the game/console. If any player is found playing on a team that falls into one of the above categories, the whole team will be disqualified and credits will not be refunded. Anyone living in the same household as a Non Amateur player will also be considered non Amateur and are not allowed to participate in Amateur Tournaments. Additionally, players found evading amateur status are subject to being banned for up to thirty (30) days.

Team Management: If leadership of a tournament team is transferred to another member of that team, that person gives up all team editing privileges(adding/removing players, disbanding team, ect.). This includes any player/team "credit sponsors". As a warning, credits will not be refunded for any players the "credit sponsor" pays for if he/she is removed from the roster after leadership is transferred.

Valid Gamertags: All gamertags on a team’s roster must be valid. Each user on the Roster must legitimately own their gamertag. A Gamertag’s spelling and spaces must be exact, but the correct case is not necessary. Gamertags may not contain foul language, disparaging remarks, hateful or racist names. Any changes to a team roster after the tournament has been seeded is at the discretion of tournament staff. This includes changes to Xbox Live Gamertags, PSN IDs, Battle.net IDs, etc. Players may only be added to a roster (username and gamertag) up until the end of that team's first match. Gamertags must be linked to a player's GB/MLG Account before the start of the tournament bracket play.

Privacy & Impersonation: Individuals are prohibited from sharing account information stored on GameBattles with another person for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: usernames, passwords, gamertags, email accounts, etc. Individuals may not use another Player’s XBL Account in a Game. Individuals may not allow another Player to use their XBL Account in a Game. Players who break this rule may be disqualified from the Tournament. In game IP checks will be administered at the discretion of the Online Tournament Staff. This will ensure no one is account recovering and attempting to play on another person's account. However, IP checks will not be be given after the match has been completed.

Broadcast: MLG reserves the right to broadcast any Match. If MLG chooses to broadcast a Match, MLG Staff members must be allowed into each Game.

Third Party Communication: Third party communication is allowed for this tournament. (i.e. skype, TeamSpeak, Party Chat, etc.). However, players must be able to communicate with any staff member that joins the Custom Game.

Definitions:

Game - One (1) competition played on one (1) map between two (2) teams

Game Type - Combination of game mode and map (ex. Search and Destroy - Carentan)

Team Content: The Leader of a team can change the team name, blast message, logos, avatars and website links. The images/information submitted must be appropriate. If inapprorpiate content is submitted, teams are subject to penalties.

Prizing and Bracket Size: Tournament bracket size and prize are subject to change based on the total number of eligible teams at the end of registration.